Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured a significant conviction against a police officer attached to Mandera East Police Station, reinforcing accountability within the National Police Service and reaffirming the rule of law.
The police officer, identified as Abdihakim Abdi Saman was found guilty by the Mandera Magistrates Court on February 20, 2026, of causing grievous harm contrary to Section 234 of the Penal Code and assault causing actual bodily harm under Section 251.
The conviction came after a detailed trial arising from an incident that took place on May 11, 2024, at Mandera Police Station.
According to the court proceedings, the accused unlawfully assaulted 52-year-old Dahaba Noor Hillow, causing her severe injuries, including a fractured arm confirmed through medical and X-ray evidence.
During the same incident, Saman also assaulted Ali Abdirahman Maalim, resulting in bodily harm. Testimonies from witnesses have confirmed that the confrontation stemmed from a dispute related to vandalism claims on a family farm near the police station.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) conducted the investigations, which compiled comprehensive evidence and forwarded its findings to the ODPP, resulting to Saman’s arraignment in September 2024.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors Patrick Namiti, Lee Kadenyo, and Mr. Kasyoka presented a total of 12 witnesses, including medical experts, law enforcement officers, and civilian eyewitnesses, all of whom firmly placed the accused at the scene.
In his ruling, Hon. Omondi Cornel Ochieng’ stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, dismissing the accused’s alibi defence as unsubstantiated. The court found that the defence failed to challenge the credibility and consistency of the prosecution’s evidence.
The conviction has been applauded by human rights groups and civil society organisations as a critical step toward enhancing police accountability, especially in regions where cases of abuse often go unreported or unresolved.
Following the verdict, Saman was interdicted from police service and removed from active duty pending sentencing. Under Kenyan law, a conviction for grievous harm carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2026, with an expectation that the court will issue a deterrent punishment highlighting the gravity of the offences.
This case underscores the growing role of IPOA and the ODPP in ensuring justice for victims of police misconduct, while sending a strong message that abuse of authority will not be tolerated in Kenya’s criminal justice system.
